Folding TV table

ABSTRACT

A folding entertainment table can be assembled and connectible without tools. Hinged end walls, allowing for foldability, interconnect with rigid front and back walls. A rigid floor and top removably connect to the unfolded frame structure for a completely rigid assembled table structure. The rigidity of the table supports a television and an attachable vertical bracket can be added to hold a flat screen type television. There are means to add shelves for storage or additional entertainment components. Doors and windows may also be added, as needed, for functionality or aesthetics.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Application No. 12/618,630 shares inventorship and certain aspects of the subject matter of this application although this is not a divisional application stemming from that application and this application claims a different invention.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

This invention was not made using federally sponsored research and development. The inventors retain all rights.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

N/A

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to folding knock-down tables in which the side panels are hinged to a rigid back wall and particularly to a folding television table which requires few to no tools or hardware to set up. The folding table comprises a planar back wall, a framed planar front wall with openings, a first folding end wall and a second folding end wall which are hinged together at the sides thereof to the front and back walls of the table. The first and second folding end walls each comprise at least two panels being hinged together vertically to allow the first and second end walls to fold to collapse into the interior of the table when the interior support wall is removed, a floor panel rigidly secured to the front and back waalls by elongated ridge in groove connections, a decorative top cover panel pegged and clamped to front, back and side walls, a removable vertically oriented interior support wall, and at least one horizontally oriented removable shelf.

It is known in prior art to provide articles of furniture with foldable walls and major components which may be reduced to a compact, knock-down condition for storage and shipment. The walls and shelves are hingedly connected together so that they may be quickly assembled and also disassembled and returned to the compact condition for further storage or shipment. Examples of foldable ready-to-use entertainment stand devices may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,039,419 and 6,722,750. These however do not provide secured folding side walls. Each movable wall is connected on one side only and therefore is more apt to become damaged. The prior patents lack a completely rigid assembled cabinet structure foldable and connectible without tools. U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,758, issued Feb. 1, 2005 to Yeh et al., is for a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) modular cabinet. The DIY cabinet has a foldable frame, a top panel, a bottom panel, a rear panel and multiple pop-it fasteners. The panels are attached to the foldable frame with the pop-it fasteners. Each pop-it fastener is composed of a countersunk tube and a stud. The countersunk tubes are pressed into head holes in panels, and the studs are screwed into and extend from base holes in the foldable frame and align with corresponding head holes in the panels. The studs extending from the base holes are pressd respectively into the countersunk tube in the head holes. Thereby, the panels are conveniently mounted on the foldable frame without using any tools. Moreover, the foldable frame can be folded to reduce the size of the disassembled DIY cabinet. U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,419, issued Mar. 21, 2000 to Brown et al., describes a preassembled, foldable entertainment stand for a computer printer and the like having a folded and erect configuration wherein a vertical back panel pivotally carries a plurality of vertical shelf panels. The shelf panels fold upwardly to a generally vertical position disposed near the front surface of the back panel while a top shelf panel folds upwardly to overlay the rear surface of the back panel. A pair of side panels are pivotally carried by the back panel. Panel hinges with displaced pivots secure the top panel and the side panels to the back panel so that the top panel lies flush against the back panel and the side panels fold generally flat over the shelf panels when the stand is folded for a compact folded configuration. U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,787, issued Sep. 27, 2005 to McBrayer, III et al. provides a folding wardrobe with an integral hinge assembly. The foldable sheet metal wardrobe has a front wall, a rear wall, a foldable right side wall, a foldable left side wall, a top member, and a bottom member defining an inner wardrobe space when the wardrobe is in an open opsition. A left and a right unitary front side panel, each of the unitary front side panels has a first section of a closed loop hinge assembly integrally formed in the sheet metal of the front side panel. The first integral hinge section has an offset stiffener member. A left and right unitary rear side panel, each of the unitary rear side panels has a second, complementary closed loop hing assembly section integrally formed in the sheet metal of the rear side panels. The second integral hinge section also has an offset stiffener member. Each of the front side and the rear side panels are connected along the first and second sections by a single continuous steel hinge pin to join the sections into single foldable left and right hinged side walls. The wardrobe hinges are stronger and more secure from exposure to unauthorized entry.

U.S. patent application No. 20050067927, published Mar. 31, 2005 by Ho et al. Discloses a collapsible closet which includes a front frame, a rear frame, and two foldable lateral plank assemblies through which the front frame is connected with the rear frame. Each of the foldable plank assemblies includes two planks pivotally connected with each other. One of the planks of each of the foldable lateral plank assemblies is pivotally connected with the front frame. The other of the planks of each of the foldable lateral plank assemblies is pivotally connected with the rear frame.

U.S. patent application No. 20080084149, published Apr. 10, 2008 by Ho claims a collabsible cabinet which includes a body, two doors, a cover and a bottom member. The body includes two inner panels, two inner posts, two outer panels and two outer posts. All panels and posts of the body are hinged to each other. Each door is hinged detachably to one of the outer posts of the body. The cover is mounted detachably on the body. The bottom member is mounted detachably on the body. Because each door is hinged detachably to one of the outer posts of the body, the collapsible cabinet can be assembled and detached easily without using tools. Labor cost and assembling time of the collabsible cabinet can also be reduced. When the collapsible cabinet is detached, the collapsible cabinet can can easily be transported and stored and cost can therefore be reduced.

U.S. patent application No. 20050174019, published Aug. 11, 2005 by Chi-Sheng, describes a foldable storage structure, wherein all panels of the foldable storage structure of the invention are connected to the front and rear panels by means of pivot connection, and the respective panels are provided with engaging structures (engaging blocks, engaging seats) so that the panels can be engaged and positioned with respect to each other, such that the foldable storage structure can be folded into a convenient shape for transportation, and can save space when not in use.

U.S. Pat. No. 700,237, issued May 20, 1902 to Randall, shows a combined folding wardrobe and dresser with a top and bottom folding sections which may be knocked down to draw the front and back closer together for an overall reduced size for ease of transportation.

U.S. Pat. No. 889,741, issued Jun. 2, 1908 to Additon, claims a folding safe having a cabinet which includes a pair of folding side portions hingedly attached to a rear portion and a front portion which allows the safe to be reduced to a smaller size.

U.S. Pat. No. 933,210, issued Sep. 7, 1909 to Ullom, describes a folding wardrobe, cupboard or the like which has folding side panels which allow the device to be compactly stored or transported.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,342,269, issued Jun. 1, 1920 to Stewart, discloses a portable knock-down wardrobe having a folding top and bottom which allows the unit to be compactly stored when not in use. A removable interior horizontally-oriented shelf provides stability and prevents collapse of the unit when inserted with the interior of the wardrobe.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,934,389, issued Apr. 26, 1960 to Krey, indicates a foldable cabinet which is movable between an operating configuration and a collapsed storage configuration, said cabinet comprising a base, two side walls, a back wall and a front wall wherein the side walls are foldable and the front and back walls are movable between an operating position in which they are spaced apart by the side walls, and a storage position in which said front and back walls are closely spaced together.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,704, issued Apr. 5, 1994 to Thorby, puts forth a collapsible locker box movable betwen an open, use, configuration and a collapsed storage configuration. The locker is particularly suited for use on motor vehicles. The locker box comprises a base, two side walls, two end walls and a lid. The end walls are foldable such that the two side walls are able to approach one another when the locker box is not in use.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,924,464, issued Dec. 27, 1966 to Lew, concerns a knockdown wardrobe or the like with folding side walls which allow the cabinet to be collapsed into a compact configuration.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,854, issued Sep. 9, 1997 to Letch, illustrates a collapsible showcase for retail/trade show use which has a rear panel, top panel, front panel, floor panel, and two pairs of side panels. These panels are hinged in such a manner as to allow the top panel to fold back and hang parallel to the rear panel, the floor panel to fold up parallel to the front panel, the pairs of side panels to fold inward, drawing the front panel and rear panel together to achieve a collapsed configuration. A means for support for at least one shelf is attached inside the showcase and is rotated 90 degrees out of the way in the collapsed configuration. An access to the interior is provided through the rear of the showcase. The top panel can be secured in position in the assembled configuration.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,981, issued Nov. 3, 1987 to Stewart, is for a collapsible storage cabinet having a set-up, operating position and a collapsed storage position. The cabinet includes a pair of side portions, a rear portion formed by a pair of hinged rear panels, a front portion including two hinged doors, and a top portion. Each side portion includes a vertical front leg and a vertical rear leg with a side panel extending therebetwen. The rear panels forming the rear portion are hingedly attached to the rear legs such that the rear panels are perpendicular to the side portions when the cabinet is in the storage position. Each door is reversibly hingedly attached to a front leg such that the doors may be pivoted inwardly when the cabinet is in the storage position, and pivoted outwardly when the cabinet is in the operating position. Each of the doors has a vertical groove therein into which is received an edge of the corresponding front leg when the door is in a fully opened position. When the cabinet is collapsed, the doors, rear panels and side panels define storage cavities therebetween for storably receiving removable panels positionable in the cabinet. At least one shelf is provided which has touch-release latches thereon which eliminate the need for external hardware on the doors. The storage cavity includes latch receiving recesses therein for receiving the latches when the corresponding shelf is placed in the storage cavity.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,526, issued Dec. 4, 1990 to Wiygul, Jr., provides a portable self-storing folding table device comprising a removable table top and a hinged frame assembly. The frame assembly has recesses or a detent-and-recess arrangement for neatly securing the table top for storage in a vertical position in which the table top is held when the frame assembly is folded. The removable top, held in place with horizontal stops may be reversible, with a different pattern or material on each major side, or may have routed perimeter to nest in the top of the frame assembly for a more secure fit.

What is needed is a completely rigid assembled table structure foldable and connectable without tools. Also needed is a stand and bracket arrangement for the mounting of flat screen TV sets.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an entertainment table having hinged end walls interconnecting rigid front and back walls and a floor connected along its length to the walls by a system of pegs and holes for a completely rigid assembled cabinet structure foldable and connectible without tools.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means to access the storage areas of the table and provide shelving.

In brief, a folding entertainment table can be assembled and is connectible without tools. Hinged end walls, allowing for foldability, interconnect with rigid front and back walls. A rigid floor and a top removably connect to the unfolded frame structure for a completely rigid assembled table structure. The rigidity of the table supports a television and an interior verticle support wall adds additional support, while providing the means to add shelves for storage or additional entertainment components. Doors and windows may also be added, as needed, for functionality or aesthetics.

The present invention provides a rigid structural connection of the primary horizontal bottom shelf and top with the folding vertical structure for strengthening the overall structure sufficiently for supported heavy electronic equipment, such as a TV.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides structural differences producing structural integrity not found in the prior art related to folding furniture assembled without tools.

Another advantage of the present invention is that doors, windows and shelves can be added as needed for functionality or aesthetics.

One more advantage of the present invention is that it provides a greater level of portability for moving and storage than non-foldable cabinets. Another advantage is the optional upright mounting structure for flat screen televisions, as more particularly described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention fully folded.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention partially unfolded, showing unfolding direction.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the invention almost completely unfolded and showing the points of connection.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention partially unfolded.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention showing direction of unfolding.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention almost completely unfolded.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the invention fully unfolded and showing insertion points of attachment means.

FIG. 8 is a perspective and partial cutaway view of the invention showing the connection means for the table top.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the bracket for holding a TV screen that can be used with the table.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of how that bracket seen in FIG. 9 attaches to the table structure.

FIG. 11 is a detail view of how the bracket of FIG. 9 can be attached to the back of a flat screen TV.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing cutaway details of the table to bracket to TV connection series.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1-8, a folding entertainment table can be assembled into a foldable rigid table structure without tools. In FIG. 9-12 an upright bracket stand is shown that can be used with minimal tools to connect a flat screen TV to the foldable TV table of this invention. Turning now to FIG. 1, a folding table foundation (1) can be seen which has end hinges (2) and a secondary hinge (3). FIG. 2 shows that the end hinges (2) can be opened. Turning now to FIG. 3, the secondary hinge (3) can be seen to open as well, allowing for the major structural members of the folding table foundation (1) to be connected into the shape of a trapezoid as seen from above. FIGS. 4-6 show another embodiment of the invention as this unfolding action is carried out. At FIG. 7, We can see that finger turnable screws were used in this embodiment to connect the pieces of the folding table foundation into that configuration where the table is trapezoidal when seen from above. Turning now to FIG. 8, a shelf (4), a base (5) which can also be called a floor, and a top (6) are shown to be attachable to the folding table foundation (1) perhaps using pegs that can be pushed into holes by hand.

Turning now to FIG. 9, a a stand (7), and a bracket (8) can be seen which can be attached to each other as shown using a minimal amount of tools. They together can then be attached to a portion of the folding table foundation (1) as shown in a partial cutaway exploded view at FIG. 10. FIG. 11 shows how the back of a flat screen TV can have attachment means that can engage the attachment means of the bracket (8) as shown by FIG. 12. Note that finger turnable screws are used in this embodiment to attach the TV to the bracket (8) which is in turn attached to the stand (7). In the inset for FIG. 12, the stand (7) and bracket (8) are shown attached to the folding table foundation (1) without the presence of the TV.

Turning back to FIG. 2, there is a main piece (9) to which a first side rectangular piece (10) and a second side rectangular piece (11) connected at the end hinges (2) to the main piece (9). A back rectangular piece (12) connects to the second side rectangular piece (11) at the secondary hinge (3). Turning now to FIG. 3, a connection means (13) is provided by which the back rectangular piece is attached to the first side rectangular piece. In this embodiment, that connector means is a screw which can be turned with the fingers. Turning now to FIG. 1, the main piece has a main crossbar (14), the first side rectangular piece has a first top crossbar (15), and a first bottom crossbar (16) and the second side rectangular piece has a second top crossbar (17) and a second bottom crossbar (18). There is a back panel (19) that is on the back rectangular piece and the back panel (19) has perforations (20). The first side rectangular piece may come fitted with a first middle crossbar (21). The second side rectangular piece may come fitted with a second middle crossbar (22).

Turning now to FIG. 9, the stand (7) may come fitted with transverse crossbars (23) and a planar cross member (24) which in turn may have holes (25) as seen in FIG. 10. Turning now to FIG. 8 anchor means (26) can be seen that serve to fasten the shelf (4), base (5), and top (6) onto the folding table foundation (1). In the preferred embodiment these anchor means take the form of pegs. 

1. A folding television table comprising: a table foundation having a main rectangular piece, a first side rectangular piece, a second side rectangular piece, and a back rectangular piece; said first side rectangular piece being hingedly connected to said main rectangular piece along a first side of said main rectangular piece; said second side rectangular piece being hingedly connected to said main rectangular piece along a second side of said main rectangular piece that is parallel to said first side of said main rectangular piece; said back rectangular piece having a hinge side and a connector side, said hinge side being parallel to said connector side, said hinge side being hingedly connected to said second side rectangular piece along a third side that is opposite to said second side, said connector side having connection means, said connection means being detachably connected to a fourth side found on said first side rectangular piece; said fourth side being opposite to said first side.
 2. The folding television table of claim 1 further comprising: said main rectangular piece has a main crossbar that is perpendicular to said first side of said main rectangular piece and perpendicular to said second side of said main rectangular piece.
 3. The folding television table of claim 2 further comprising: said first side rectangular piece has a first top crossbar and a first bottom crossbar, said first top cross bar being perpendicular to said first side, said first top cross bar being parallel to said first bottom crossbar; and said second side rectangular piece has a second top crossbar and a second bottom crossbar, said second top crossbar being perpendicular to said second side, and said second top crossbar being parallel to said second bottom crossbar.
 4. The folding television table of claim 3 further comprising: said back rectangular piece has a substantially planar panel extending from said hinge side to said connector side, said substantially planar panel being parallel to said hinge side and to said connector side.
 5. The folding television table of claim 4 in which said substantially planar panel has a plurality of perforations.
 6. The folding television table of claim 3 further comprising: said first side rectangular piece has a first middle crossbar parallel to said first top cross bar and substantially equidistant from said first top crossbar and said first bottom crossbar.
 7. The folding television table of claim 6 further comprising: said second side rectangular piece has a second middle crossbar parallel to said second top crossbar and substantially equidistant from said second top crossbar and said second bottom crossbar; and said back rectangular piece has a substantially planar panel extending from said hinge side to said connector side, said substantially planar panel being parallel to said hinge side and to said connector side, and said substantially planar panel has a plurality of perforations.
 8. The folding television table of claim 7 further comprising: a vertical rectangle fixedly connected to said back rectangular piece, said vertical rectangle having a vertical rectangle long axis, said vertical rectangle long axis being parallel to said connector side; and a horizontal rectangle fixedly connected to said vertical rectangle, said horizontal rectangle having a horizontal rectangle long axis, said horizontal rectangle long axis being perpendicular to said connector side; said horizontal rectangle being parallel to said vertical rectangle.
 9. The folding television table of claim 8 further comprising: said vertical rectangle has at least three vertical rectangle crossbars extending perpendicular to said vertical rectangle long axis and said vertical rectangle has a vertical rectangle planar member that is parallel to said vertical rectangle crossbars.
 10. The folding television table of claim 9 having a plurality of holes penetrating said vertical rectangle planar member.
 11. The folding television table of claim 1 further comprising: a vertical rectangle fixedly connected to said back rectangular piece, said vertical rectangle having a vertical rectangle long axis, said vertical rectangle long axis being parallel to said connector side; and a horizontal rectangle fixedly connected to said vertical rectangle, said horizontal rectangle having a horizontal rectangle long axis, said horizontal rectangle long axis being perpendicular to said connector side; said horizontal rectangle being parallel to said vertical rectangle.
 12. The folding television table of claim 11 further comprising: said vertical rectangle has at least three vertical rectangle crossbars extending perpendicular to said vertical rectangle long axis and said vertical rectangle has a vertical rectangle planar member that is parallel to said vertical rectangle crossbars.
 13. The folding television table of claim 12 having a plurality of holes penetrating said vertical rectangle planar member.
 14. The folding television table of claim 13 further comprising: said main rectangular piece has a main crossbar that is perpendicular to said first side of said main rectangular piece and perpendicular to said second side of said main rectangular piece.
 15. The folding television table of claim 14 further comprising: said first side rectangular piece has a first top crossbar and a first bottom crossbar, said first top cross bar being perpendicular to said first side, said first top cross bar being parallel to said first bottom crossbar; and said second side rectangular piece has a second top crossbar and a second bottom crossbar, said second top crossbar being perpendicular to said second side, and said second top crossbar being parallel to said second bottom crossbar.
 16. The folding television table of claim 15 further comprising: said back rectangular piece has a substantially planar panel extending from said hinge side to said connector side, said substantially planar panel being parallel to said hinge side and to said connector side.
 17. The folding television table of claim 16 in which said substantially planar panel has a plurality of perforations.
 18. The folding television table of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of shelves each having a bottom side with anchor means, said anchor means fixing the position of said shelves with respect to structures selected from the group comprising the main crossbar, the first top crossbar, the second top crossbar, the first bottom crossbar, the second bottom crossbar, the first middle crossbar, and the second middle crossbar. 